Chinese authorities have executed Xu Yao for the 2020 poisoning murder of Lin Qi, the billionaire founder of Yoozoo Games, which holds the rights to Netflix’s adaptation of the popular sci-fi series “The Three-Body Problem.” The case closed after a high-profile trial that highlighted a deadly corporate dispute.
What happened
Xu Yao, a former head of a subsidiary within Yoozoo Games, was found guilty of poisoning Lin Qi using highly toxic substances, including alpha-amanitin—a lethal toxin found in certain poisonous mushrooms. Xu reportedly spent tens of thousands of dollars acquiring poison disguised as probiotic pills, coffee capsules, water containers, and whiskey bottles that he shared with Lin and other employees. Lin fell ill after reportedly drinking poisoned tea and died in December 2020 at age 39.
The Shanghai High People’s Court convicted Xu in 2024. Chinese media and company statements confirmed Xu was executed on May 21, 2026. Yoozoo Games expressed relief at the verdict, describing it as justice served after a protracted legal process.
Why it matters
Lin Qi’s killing spotlighted intense internal conflicts within China’s booming gaming and entertainment industries, especially involving companies managing popular IPs like “The Three-Body Problem.” The death of a billionaire entrepreneur connected to a globally recognized sci-fi franchise underscores risks around corporate leadership disputes. The case also illustrates China’s judicial handling of corporate crimes linked to prominent figures.
Background
Lin Qi founded Yoozoo Games, a Shanghai-based company known for its involvement in films, video games, and TV adaptations of Liu Cixin’s sci-fi trilogy, “The Three-Body Problem.” The trilogy, translated into over 40 languages, gained worldwide acclaim and boosted the Chinese sci-fi industry’s profile. Lin had helped land the Netflix adaptation deal before being poisoned amid a reported professional dispute with Xu Yao.
Lin Qi was among China’s wealthiest entrepreneurs, with a net worth estimated at one billion US dollars. His death prompted widespread attention and a company statement mourning his passing and affirming a commitment to justice and ethical business practices.
Sources
This article is based on reporting and publicly available information from the following source:
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